President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has granted the fallen Dokolo District Woman Representative, Hon. Imat Cecilia Atim Ogwal official burial.
According to Milly Babalanda, the Minister in charge of the presidency, President Museveni will personally attend the vigil in honour of the deceased at Parliament.
Babalanda eulogized Ogwal as an icon of mature, moderate and issue-based politics.
“The demise of Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, a vocal veteran Legislator, trailblazing women rights advocate and a friend of many is a big blow to the country at a time when we still need Senior Citizens to mentor our young ones. She was an icon of mature, moderate and issue-based politics. Rest in peace, Imat, and may God strengthen Papa Ogwal and the family,” she said.
Hon. Cecilia Ogwal, 77, breathed her last on Thursday morning in India.
According to a tentative burial program released by the Parliament of Uganda, The veteran’s politician’s body is expected in the country on Sunday, January 21st, while burial will take place on Saturday, January 27.
Eulogized.
The Secretary General of Lango Parliamentary Group, Hon. Samuel Opio (Indep, Kole North County), also a family member, eulogised the late Ogwal, as the “barometer and compass of Lango.”
“When I was going to stand for Kole North Constituency, it was in this sitting room that she gave me the blessings. I last talked to her about two weeks ago. We have lost an iron lady, a vocal and strong-hearted woman,” he said.
Bugweri County Member of Parliament, Hon. Abdu Katuntu also acknowledged that it is in Ogwal’s sitting room in Bugolobi that his political journey started 30 years ago.
“I would not be a politician but this sitting room changed me from being a lawyer to a politician… Hon. Cecilia was a great woman who would assert her authority,” Katuntu said.
Hon. Mpuuga remembers Ogwal as a rare breed of politician.
“Cecilia was a household name. Every time she picked a microphone, she was speaking country and people. A rare breed of politician because you would not be ashamed of what she would speak,” he said.
Sarah Kagingo, the Vice Chairperson, Private Sector Foundation Uganda, eulogized the deceased as a uniting factor, a champion of corporate governance and astute woman in business, especially grain.
“I had immense respect for Imat Cecilia Ogwal. In 2016, I had the opportunity to support communication for Uganda’s bid for Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the rare opportunity to closely interact with Maama Ogwal,” she noted, adding,
“As President Museveni’s Special Envoy, she traversed Africa engaging Heads of State to vote Uganda. She set internal Ugandan politics aside and spoke greatly about her country. Quite the Iron Lady, she rooted for Uganda at several engagements around the world. Salute, wonderful lady! Grant her eternal peace, Oh Lord.”
Ogwal was one of the longest-serving legislators, having served since 1996. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Committees on Physical Infrastructure and Budget.
She also served as Uganda’s representative to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) and a Parliamentary Commissioner in the 10th Parliament.